class of men , tribe , order , caste (prob. from contrast of colour between the dark aboriginal tribes and their fair conquerors ; in

RV. esp. applied to the āryas and the dāsas ; but more properly applicable to the four principal classes described in manu's code , viz. Brahmans , kṣatriyas , vaiśyas , and śūdras ; the more modern word for " caste " being jāti ; cf.IW. 210 n. 1) ib.